South Africa have overcome their reservations and agreed to play a day-night pink ball Test against Australia in Adelaide this year, cricket chiefs announced Wednesday. Australia unveiled plans for day-night Tests against South Africa and Pakistan in April, but admitted player concerns about the experimental format meant the Proteas' fixture was not locked in.
It is now confirmed for November 24-28.
"This announcement will further fuel the excitement about what promises to be a fascinating series between formidable rivals," said Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland. Cricket South Africa chief Haroon Lorgat said the decision was made after talks with players, who initially feared they would be disadvantaged by having no experience under pink ball conditions. "Following careful consideration and engagement with all our Test players, and recognising the need to exploit the potential of playing day-night Test cricket, I am pleased to announce that we have agreed with Cricket Australia to proceed with this fixture," he said in the same statement.
"Our Proteas were initially hesitant to play such a key Test match without previous experience and adequate preparation but after working through all their concerns and possible options to prepare sufficiently, there is new-found excitement for this novel Test match. "Our players deserve credit for the way they have worked through the issues which were clearly not insignificant," he added.